WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Hartford Department of Athletics has announced an update to its academic support staff. Acting Vice President of Athletics & Recreation Dr. Sharon Beverly announced the promotion of Denise Marchese to Associate Director of Athletics for Academics and Student-Athlete Success.
 
"Denise has been an invaluable member of our admin team, bringing not only priceless information, but a willingness to take on important initiatives critical to the support of our student-athletes," said Beverly. "I have personally found her a wonderful person to work with and this promotion is well deserved!"
 
Marchese has been a part of the Hawks Athletics department since joining as an assistant softball coach in 2015. After three seasons with the Hartford softball team, she made the transition to an administrative role in 2017, spending the past four years in Academics and Student Athlete Success.  In her role, Marchese provides academic oversight of all 17 teams, oversees Hartford's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and serves as the athletics liaison to multiple campus partners to advocate for and support student-athlete success.
 
A 1995 graduate of Eastern Connecticut, Marchese holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and went on to receive her master's degree in physical education and exercise science from Central Connecticut in 2004.